biblecruise

Audio/Video Resources for SAM

The Complete Guide To Starting or Evaluating a Singles Ministry by Glen Martin. This resource is actually a kit which includes a loose-leaf manual, various planning materials, three audio cassettes and the book Single but Not Alone. This resource provides a plan of action that can be molded and appropriated to every type of singles ministry. It gives valuable information on what you should know before starting a singles ministry and step-by-step instructions on how to do it.
     The kit was developed in 1993 by Church Growth Institute (Lynchburg, VA). It sold for $79.95.
Death: A Time to Remember This is a 28-minute color film which chronicles the history of funeral rites, beliefs and burial customs around the world from prehistoric time to the present. The film shows how many religions have approached the inevitability of death, and describes some of the fears and superstitions sometimes associated with death by others.
    Included at no cost with each film rental or sale is a well-known and highly regarded 64-page booklet that offers a wide range of philosophical and practical resources relating to death education and burial.
   The film originally rented for $32 and sold for $325. For further information, contact Mass Media Ministries, 2116 N. Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21218 or call them at (301) 727-3270.
DivorceCare uses biblical materials in a seminar/support group strategy to help churches more effectively minister to people hurting because of separation and divorce. Their kit, produced in 1994, is designed to cover 13 weeks and includes the videotapes, participant notebook, Leader's Guide and how-to video. The 13 videotapes and all materials sold for $259.97.
   For information, write DivorceCare, 6339 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh, NC 27612, or call (800) 489-7778.
Divorce: From Pain to Hope is a video series that covers the entire spectrum of the divorce experience. Each of the twelve 30-minute segments begins with a dramatized opening, including statements of purpose for each session, and contains material illustrating the "From Pain to Hope" theme.
   Some of the individual sessions are entitled, The Evolution of Divorce, A Painful Process, Its Impact upon Children, Stepfamilies and Blended Families, Churches and Schools, Helping the Healing, Reconciliatory Need, and The Hope and the Healing. At the close of each session there is a brief introduction to the next session. This series presents interviews with persons who have undergone divorce. It is narrated by Robert L. Minniear and is an excellent resource for divorce support groups.
   This series may be ordered from any of the 37 Cokesbury Book Stores in the U.S. or from their Cokesbury Service Center, Box 801, Nashville, TN 37202. Their toll free number is 1-800-672-1789. Each video sold for $29.95, the entire set for $150.00.
Divorce Recovery is a video series that is designed for helping those going through a divorce. This six-part workshop is authored by William Flanagan, singles minister at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Southern California. It is based on Jim Smoke's classic book, Growing Through Divorce.
   The six parts of this series deal with the following: Is This Really Happening to Me, Coping with You Ex-Spouse, Assuming New Responsibilities, Being a Single Parent, Finding & Experiencing Forgiveness, and Thinking About New Relationships.
   The videocassette kit consists of three tapes and a study guide. It sold for $149.95 from Gospel Films, 1-800-253-0413 (1-800-632-0319 in Michigan).
Faith, Intimacy, and Risk in the Single Life by Keith Miller and Andrea Wells. Their work with a group of singles has been captured in this multi-cassette audio album which also includes a study guide. This unit is designed as a 13-week (or longer) elective program that could be used to start a group of singles or with an existing group. It has all the earmarks of a Keith Miller work: freshness, integrity, commitment to Jesus Christ. The cassettes reflect a high degree of spontaneity as they were recorded in a live situation, as Keith and Andrea, both of whom have experienced the pains of divorce, entered into dialogue with a singles group.
    The cassette album helps deal with many of the questions singles are asking: "How do I handle loneliness? What do I do about dating? Help...I'm a single parent!"
    This 12-cassette resource was created with printed scripts and a discussion guide. It was produced by Word, Inc., in 1980 at $79.95. For free information call their toll-free number (800) 933-9673.
The First Two Years of Marriage. This is a 60 minute video in three segments: Expectations & Communication, Intimacy & Autonomy, and Christian Loving. This video shows couples how to improve their relationship by understanding the basic truths that make a marriage work. Each segment contains dramatic scenes that depict both the struggles and the joys of newly married life. Price: $50.00. Excellent for pre-marital counseling sessions.
    From Mass Media Video Resources, 2116 N. Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21210
Getting Your Act Together is a four-part video discussion series designed for single young adults interested in reflecting on their singleness. Each of the four parts focuses on a different aspect of spiritual growth from a young single person's perspective. Topics include preparing for God's calling, steps toward intimacy, cooperative living for singles, and living unselfishly in a selfish world.
    The video series was produced by Student and Young Adult Services of Mennonite Board of Missions and the Commission on Education of the General Conference of Mennonite Church, in cooperation with MBM Media Ministries. Myrna Burkholder, executive producer of the video, said the series "is a way to encourage single young adults to think about spiritual growth in a holistic manner."
    The video consists of two half-inch VHS videocassettes. Each video originally cost $29.95 U.S. ($35 in Canada) postpaid. Order from SYAS, Box 370, Elkhart, IN 46515-0370. Telephone: (219) 294-7523. In Canada call (204) 888-6781 for information. Contact SYAS for Rental information.
   A leader's guide comes with the series and is very helpful and useful.
Helpmates More Than Survivors This video describes the Christian Single Helpmate Group organization which is a network of Christian singles support groups started in 1979. They now have 30 self-help chapters scattered in six states across the country. This video is an introduction to the Helpmate approach short of actually visiting one of their chapters. It was produced by the Board for Communication Services of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and sold for $15.00. To order, write them at 1333 S. Kirkwood, St. Louis, MO 63122. Ask for: Helpmates More Than Survivors, #88031.
The Journey of Faith This series, hosted by Neil Paylor, attempts to give adults a better understanding of divorce from a Christian perspective. The three-tape series is taken from actual interviews filmed with those who have weathered the painful experience of divorce. It has value not only for divorced persons but also can help married persons strengthen their own union. Designed for 13 sessions, it was developed for adult forums, pre-marital and pastoral counseling sessions.
   The set of 3 video tapes, one leader's guide, and one viewer's guide, sold for $99.95. Order from any Cokesbury Book Store or call 1 (800) 672-1789.

Living Single Again (DVD) by Dennis Henderson, D.Min. While both divorce and grief recovery focus on healing past relational wounds, Living Single Again focuses on future relationships form a Biblical perspective.  This seven part DVD video series is designed for group participation with facilitator-led discussion time following each video. Workbooks come with the series
From Single Initiative (Brighton, MI, 888-762-5909) in 2005, the basic series kit sells for $225, the standard for $250 and the deluxe for $275.

Raising Kids Alone Although the people at Group Publishing focus on ministry with youth and teenagers, they did produce a video for single parents in 1991 entitled, "Raising Kids Alone: Parenting After Divorce."
    The four videos plus the leader's guide sold for $99.00. For more information write them at Box 485, Loveland, CO 80539. Telephone: 1-800-447-1070.
Raising Kids Alone: Parenting After Divorce is a four-part video series which can help separated or divorced parents handle the challenge of raising children. Viewers will discover how to respond to their children's feelings about the break-up and learn single-parenting skills.
    The various parts are entitled: 1. After Divorce: Support for the Next Step, 2. Children of Divorce: Creatively Responding to Their Needs. 3. Working Together: How Both Parents Can Positively Influence the Kids--after the break-up. 4. Visitation: Making it Work for Children and Parents. A users guide is included.
    These four 30-minute videos area are available from Mass Media Video Ministries, 1-800-828-8825. Original price for the series: $98.
Reach-Out to Singles The Video Education Center of the Presbyterian School of Christian Education has produced a 30-minute video in which three leaders share their views, concerns, and hopes for ministry to, with, and for single persons in the local church. One of these leaders is Raymond Kay Brown, the author of a book by this same title. Allen Krantz and Cheryl Hammock are the other leaders. They discuss some of the stereotypes, the myths, and the needs of single adults.
    The video comes with a study guide that may be used as a consciousness raising tool for congregations; as a spring board for a study on some of the concerns of adults; and as a way to plan some specific programs for singles.
    The video, produced in 1985, originally rented for $15 and sold for $30, both VHS & Beta formats available. For further information, contact them at 1205 Palmyra Ave., Richard, VA 23227.
Searching for True Love by Joshua Harris. This video series has three separate tapes, Love, Trust and Purity. Each uses humor, drama and on-the-street interviews, and sessions taped before an audience in Nashville, TN.
    In Love, the author reveals surprising secrets about love. He defines true love and how its power can make it possible for you to enjoy lifelong, meaningful relationships. In Trust, Harris states that "singleness" isn't a secondary status. It's a chance to develop your gifts and make the most of today. And in Purity, he says that purity is a direction, a course, and not a destination. He offers guys and gals practical direction for how to maintain outward modesty and a life on inward purity in an age of compromise.
    From Multnomah (Sisters, OR) in 1999, each video sold for $14.99. The running time on each is 47 minutes.
Single This is a 3-minute, animated film produced by the JED (Joint Education Development) Singles Ministries Project Team. The film is designed to be used by churches and other groups to help people realize what it is like for a single person to try to enter a group composed primarily of couples. It shows how groups may be driving single people away. The film can help raise the consciousness of a group to ways it responds to any stranger in its midst, but especially the way it responds to single people.
    A study guide accompanies the film which may be purchased from Cumberland Presbyterian Resource Center, Box 40149, Memphis, TN. It originally cost was $20.75.

Surviving Divorce in December (DVD) by Dennis Henderson, D.Min. The December holidays can be taxing enough whey your relationships are strong—but when separation, divorce or death occurs, you may find yourself in a struggle for survival. This two part DVD video series offers twenty tips for handling the holidays and focuses entirely on easing the pain and hurt that is multiplied holiday expectations.
From Single Initiative (Brighton, MI, 888-762-5909) in 2005 , this DVD series sells for $75.00

A Single Revolution The purpose of this material is to show some of the needs of single adults and to demonstrate how the local church can begin meeting some of those needs. The kit includes a filmstrip, accompanying cassette, and a leader's guide.
    Also included in the kit is a 62-page book entitled, "You Can Teach Adults" written by Henry Jacobsen and published by Victor Books, a division of SP Publications, Inc. This book is part of their "You Can" series and can be ordered separately. The others in the series deal with teaching other age groups. This one offers proven principles that the teacher can employ to help his/her students to link learning to living as they develop an intelligent knowledge of the Bible.
    The kit may be ordered from Scripture Press Ministries, Box 513, Glen Ellyn, IL 60138. It sold for $24.95.
When Mom and Dad Break Up is the title of a 32 minute video available through Mass Media Video Ministries. This video, hosted by Alan Thicke, offers reassurance for the 45% of American children who will experience the trauma of their parent's divorce. Good Housekeeping says this is "A must-see for all children whose parents are divorced."
     The video sold for $24.95. For more information or a video catalogue, write Mass Media, 2116 N. Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21218. Telephone (301) 727-3270.
Willowgreen Productions has produced a number of excellent videos dealing with caregiving, grief, growing older, prayer, death, and change (transition). Many of these videos come with a resource kit giving instructions for using these videos in support groups. This company has also produced several booklets on these subjects. To receive a catalog, write Willowgreen Productions, Box 25180, Fort Wayne, IN 46825 or call them at (219) 424-7916.